ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

City of Farmington•Farmington, NM

1d•$19 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is seeking an Animal Control Officer to join the Police Department. This role is responsible for enforcing all City Animal Control and Park Ranger ordinances, including issuing citations, making court appearances, patrolling parks, and impounding animals. The officer will patrol city streets to locate and capture stray animals, transporting them to shelters. Additionally, the role involves patrolling city parks to prevent vandalism, ensure appropriate behavior, and enforce ordinances. The officer will also check equipment operation at Parks and Recreation facilities and respond to complaints regarding animal issues such as animals at large, bites, property damage, or injuries. This position requires the ability to remove dead, injured, or dangerous animals, determine their health status, and work independently in difficult and emergency situations. Maintaining radio or telephone availability for emergencies and coordinating with police communication personnel are also key aspects. The role involves shift work, including weekends and holidays, and requires excellent customer service skills to build effective relationships with the public and colleagues. Patrols can be conducted via motor vehicle, golf cart, bicycle, and on foot. The officer will also assist other officers with vehicle tows, traffic control at accident scenes and special events, and investigating non-injury accidents on private property, including taking statements and writing reports. Maintaining confidential departmental information, tagging vehicles sold illegally, inspecting business licenses, and renewing trespass authorities are also responsibilities. Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Valid state driver's license with acceptable driving record for the past three years or state of current residency.
Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing; comprehensive knowledge of word processing with emphasis in Word and Excel software packages.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and follow verbal and or written instructions.
Excellent public relations skills.
Ability to handle vicious animals and irate or intoxicated citizens.
Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds to load animals into truck.
Knowledge of and concern with animals.
Must pass background check.
Ability to work all shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Subject to on call and rotating shifts.
Ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the public.
Ability to work under stress and handle stressful situations.
Ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
Ability to learn the City's geography.
This position has the responsibility to participate in and comply with the City's Environmental, Health, and Safety program.
Must pass extensive background check.
This position is subject to the City of Farmington's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, return to duty testing, and follow-up testing.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as veterinarian assistant and/or security guard or law enforcement experience preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

Enforcement of all City Animal Control and Park Ranger ordinances, including citation writing, court appearances, Parks patrol and impoundment of animals.
Patrols streets within City jurisdiction to locate stray animals and promptly captures animals and transports them to an animal shelter.
Patrols all City parks for prevention of vandalism, including graffiti, appropriate behavior in City parks, public relations and enforcement of pertinent ordinances as defined by City Code.
Checks for proper equipment operation at Parks and Recreation facilities, including at appointed times for Parks and Recreation facilities' security.
Responds to complaints concerning animal issues or violations of Chapter 6, including but not limited to animals running at large, bites, property damage, or injuries.
Removes dead, injured or dangerous animals from streets and residential premises.
Determines health status of animals.
Works an assigned shift using own judgment in deciding course of action being expected to handle difficult and emergency situations without assistance.
Maintains normal availability by radio or telephone for consultation on major emergencies or precedent.
Carries out duties in conformance with City laws and ordinances.
Maintains contact with police communication personnel to coordinate investigation activities, provide mutual assistance during emergency situations and provides Administrative information about Department activities.
Required to perform shift work in a rotation of days, evenings, and nights including weekends and holidays.
Using excellent customer service skills establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, officials, and all members of the general public.
Patrols are performed in motor vehicle, golf cart, on bicycle and on foot.
Assists officers in requesting and ensuring vehicle tows are completed at accident scenes and other arrest situations where a vehicle is involved.
Assists certified patrol officers in performing traffic control, such as, accident scene traffic control, special events control, and other similar situations.
Investigates private property non-injury accidents; takes witness and victim statements; writes reports on certain offenses such as gas frauds, lost or stolen property, found or recovered bicycles, or any other non-arrest type misdemeanor reports.
Must maintain confidential departmental information.
Green tagging vehicles that are being sold illegally within the City of Farmington.
Inspection of Business Licenses within the City of Farmington; inspects food vendors for state and local licenses.
Renewing Trespass Authority within the City of Farmington.
Attendance at work is an essential function of this position.
Turns on ball field lights when needed.
Performs crossing guard duties as needed.
Enforces priority permit holders at Parks facilities.
Maintains departmental equipment, supplies and facilities.
Serves as a member of various employee committees.